New Forest Birding

Wednesday 16 April

Black Swan Cygnus atratus (back left) with a Mute Swan Cygnus olor and Greylag Geese Anser anser at Kent Meadows

The light rain stopped the skies cleared to give some lovely sunshine and all set for an enjoyable morning at Blashford Lakes in the New Forest.  Within five minutes of entering the Tern Hide upon arrival all went dark and a very heavy drizzle coupled with the strong wind left very little visibility over the water. Still many Tufted Duck and very many Black-headed Gulls but as the weather cleared, visibility (and warmth) increased chance to really see what was about.

So many gulls, mainly Black-headed but also a good number of both Herring and Lesser Black-backed plus a lone Little Gull.  In addition at least three Common Terns.  Over the water, especially during the cold spell, numerous sand martins plus at least a dozen Barn Swallows and about ten House Martins.  Single Redshank and Common Sandpiper were seen foraging near to the hide's right and out on the water at least a score of Coot plus three Great Crested Grebes.  At the back just  quartet of Cormorants on one of the distant islands. On the banks to the far left at least a half-dozen Egyptian Geese whilst n the bank to the right another individual along with  pair of Canada Geese.  In addition to the many Tufted Duck about six Mallard were recorded.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Crossing the road to the main reserve very little to be seen in the woodland and with no feeders in use not the usual small birds to be seen. However, apart from a trio of Robin and a couple of Blackbirds, arriving at the unoccupied Woodland Hide I was in time to see the Goldcrest gathering nesting materials from the bushes just outside the window.

Both Blue and Great Tits apparently doing the same as I walked down to the South Ivy Hide and once inside just a few Tufted Duck and Black-headed Gulls to see on the water along with seven roosting Cormorants atop the trees to the left.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Off the North Ivy Hide where nothing appeared to be present at first sight.  A Moorhen appeared in the channel on my extreme right then a trio of Mallards on the open water.  Finally, the appearance of a couple of Reed Warblers foraging in the reeds and chance for a quick record photograph.

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

A quick visit to the Kent Meadows on the lane between Ibsley and Harbridge produced an astonishing sight.  Not the number of Mute Swans nor the total of eight Egyptian Geese, nor even the five Greylag Geese, but the solitary Black Swan that seemed to have befriended one of the Mute Swans!

Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Then it was back along the single road through the Forest to Cadnam's Pool where, again, very small numbers such as the quartet of Canada Geese, a few mallards (one pair of which had already produced seven ducklings) and a single Mandarin Duck resting amongst the tree roots on the island. Also a couple of Chaffinches in the neighbouring trees.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mandarin Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Robin, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch.

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Mute Swan C.olor and Black Swan C.atratus

Greylag Geese Anser anser

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